Loom



Sept 1, 1925.

1,551,732 H. D: COLMAN LOOM Filed May 6, 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet I Sept 1, 1 925.

H. D. COLMAN LOOM ' Filed May 6. 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 1, 1925. I 1,551,732

H. D. COLMAN LOOM Filed May 6, 1921 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 WWWWW is \D IIIIII F uizz Sept 1, 1925. 1,551,732

H. D. COLMAN LOOM ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 1, 1925.

' H. D. COLMAN LOOM Filed May 6, 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mew/or.- la 0. C o Zmarz H. D. COLMAN Sept 1, 1925 LOOM 11 Shets-Sheet 6 Filed May 6, 1921 5 0. CoZ

Sept. 1, 1 925.

H. D. COLMAN Loom Filed May 6. 1921 ll Sheets-Sheet Sept. 1, 1925.

,H. D. COLMAN LOOM F'ile'd May 6, 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 fizz 61210;? Co [/77 0/7 Sept. L i

H. D. COLMAN LOOM Filed May 6, 1921 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 k/D, Caz/77am Sept. 1, 1925.

H. D. COLMAN LOOM Filed May 6. 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 ywwpi 4 JW Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

UNEE STATES orFicE.

HOWARD D. COLMAN, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE'ASSIGNMENTS,

TO BARBER-COLMAN COMPANY, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Loo vr.

, and useful Improvements in Looms, 0f

, eral utility 'in looms.

which the" following is a specification.

This invention relates primarily to mechanical warp stop motions for looms, but certain features of the invention are of gen- VVarp stop motions may be classified into two groupsythose wherein the heddles have a detecting function and those wherein the detecting function is performed by elements distinct from the harnesses, such elements being commonly termed drop wires. VVithout attempting to set forth all the considerations which have restricted the commercial use of warp stop lnotions, it may be stated that the principal objections to warp stop motions of the second mentioned class are the cost of drawing the warp-through the drop wires, the expense and trouble of re- 'moving the drop Wires from'the loom when warp replenishment is required, transport fing the drop wires to warp-drawing or carried elements to injury in handling whilewarp-tying machines and again installing them in the loom, and the additional work caused the weaver when remedying conditionsthat have'brought about a stoppage of the loom.

' Warp stop motions of the first mentioned class may be subdivided intotwo mechanical types; those wherein the heddle when functioning to stop the loom makes contact with a feeler or the like which forms no part of the harness, and those wherein the detecting element that cooperates with the heddle is carried upon the harness. For various reasons stop motions of the first type have not gone into wide use. Stop motions of the second type have not, so far as I am aware, attained any commercial success. the reasons why warp stop motions of the last mentioned kind have not been, used commercially, are the liability of ithe harnessout of the loom, the difliculty Or practical impossibility of preventing the heddles or the coacting detecting members from being rendered inoperative by lint or dirt, and the fact that the rinciples of organization were such that the necessary rigidity, durability Among 1921. Serial No. 467,496. I

and proper adjustmentcould not be attained and preserved.

The ob'ect of this invention, generally stated, is to produce awarp stop motion of the last mentioned type which shall not be apt to be damaged by such handling as loom harnesses which shall be durable, the operationof which shall not be liable to be affected by receive under mill conditions,'

lint or dirt, which shall lend itself readily tovaryin'g requirements as to the sley of the warp, the number of harnesses, etc., and which shall possess the necessary high degree of certainty and reliability of action.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation, with some parts omitted,

of a loom embodying the features of this invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmental View'taken from the left-hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view taken inthe plane of.line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a View taken in the plane of line 5'5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmental front View of the stopping mechanism. Fig".

I IS a perspective VIGWO'E one corner of aheddle frame. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a part of the stopping mechanism. Fig.-v

9 is a. fragmental perspective view of the feeler shaft and the element that limits oscillation of the shaft. Fig. '10 illustrates the means for preventing endwise movement of the feeler shaft. Fig..

11 is a fragmental view of the stopping mechanism, looking 'from the left-hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a view similar-to Fig.

11, but showing the parts ina different positlon. F1g.,13 is a fragmental perspective view of one of the heddle frames. Fig. 14 is a section on line 14 14 of Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a fragmental illustration of a heddle that may be used in carrying out his invention. Fig. 16 is a view of another form of heddle,

with parts broken away to shorten the view.

Fig- 17 a section on line.j17--17'of Fig. 16. Fig.1ti is a* perspective view illustrating the operation of the detecting heddles. Fig. .19

is an enlarged sectional view to show the ac-- tion of the heddle. fragmental view of a repair or replacement heddle. Fig. 21 is a section on line 20-20 of Fig. 20.. Figs. 22 and -23 illustrate a means for suspending a harness consisting Fig. 20 is an enlarged of two heddle frames. Fig. 24 shows a device for suspending a harness formed of three heddle frames. Fig. .25 illustrates a member for connecting the lower portions of two heddle frames to the shedding motion. Fig. '26 is a detail View of the connecting member. F ig.-27 represents the manner of connecting a harnessconsisting of three heddle frames to the shedding motion. Fig. 28 is a detail view of the connector illustrated in Fig. 27. Figs. 29 to 32, inclusive, illustrate an alternative construction of the means for restoring the heddle cranks to initial position, Fig. 30 being a sectional view taken in the plane of line 30-30 of Fig. 31.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a loom of wellknown construction, but it will be understood that the invention may be applied to looms of various types. 7 m I /Vhile any desired number of harnesses may be employed, I have,- for the sake of simplicity, shown a two-harness loom, the harnesses being indicated at Ain Fig. 1. Each harness may consist of any suitable number of heddle frames B' (Fig. 13). In the present instance each heddle frame is a rigid metallic structure consisting of a top bar 1, a bottom bar 2 and end bars 3.

The means for reciprocating the harnesses to form the shed may be of the'well-known or any preferred. character. Herein the harnesses are shown as suspendedv from the ordinary harness roller 4 (Fig. l) by means of straps 5 fastened to theset collars 6 and7.

While the means for connecting the harnesses to the straps ,5 may vary widely, the

" construction illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23 has been foundsatisfactory.- As shown in said views each connector consists'of a metallic loop 8-having an opening 9 through which the screw-threaded shank of a hook 10 extends freely, said-hook being adapted to engage in openings in the strap 5. The looprests upon a nut 11 on said shank. To the loop 8 is pivoted a depending metallic strap-like member 12 for each heddle frame comprised in the harness. At the'lower end of. the member 12 is .a concave or hooked portion13 adapted partially .to embrace a head or roll 14 on theupper edge of the bar 1, and to pass through a slot 1:} in said bar just below the bead. To facilitate engagement of the heddle frame with the hook '13, said hook is made comparatively shallow, the parts being locked in engagement with each other by means of a latch 16 pivoted to the member 12 at 17 and having below said pivot a curved portion 18 adapted to engage the bead 14 and hold the latter in the hook 13. The upper arm of the latch 16 is made resilient and-carries a locking pin 19 adapted to snap into a hole 20 in the member 12.

By reason of 'the pivotalfco'nnection of the member 12with the loop 8, the operator may easily spread the upper portions of the capable of being used in either the front or the rear harness, each heddle frame having slots 15 located in position for engagement by the suspending devices for either harness.

The lower bars of the heddle frames may be connected to the shedding mechanism in any desired manner. In the present embodiment of the invention, sheet'metal loops 21 (Figs. 25 and 26)- are employed, the ends of the armsof the loop being curved to form inturned hooks 22 adapted to pass throughslots 23 in the bottom bar 2 and engage a bead 24 formed upon the lower edge of said bar. The lower or closed end ,of the loop 21 engage a U-shape fastening silience of the loop 21 holds the hooks 22 close together so that the heddle frames cannot become accidentally disengaged from the shedding motion. As indicated in Figs. 27 and 28, the loop may have any necessary number,of hooks 22.

Referring now 'to Figs. 13 and 14: The heddle fra-mes B contain metallic heddles 28. Each heddle consists of a flattened middle portion 29 having an eye 30 and two hooked ends or supporting portions 31, the portions 32 intermediate the hooked ends and the middle portion 29 being of less crosssectional area than said hooked ends. The heddles f herein shown are formed of wire bent to form the hooked ends 31, swaged to produce the relatively slender bodies 32 of circular cross-section, and flattened and perforated to produce the thread-receiving portion. -As shown in. Fig. 16 the eye 30 is of elongated shape, the end Walls of the eye being curved,- and all the edges of the eye and the flattened portion 29 being rounded toavoid chafing or wearing the threads. As indicated in Fig. 17 the perforated portion 29 lies in a plane which-extends at an acute angle to the plane of the supporting portions 31 in order that the thread may pass through the eye without bending.

The metal of which the bars 1 and 2 of the heddle frame are formed is bent to provide two rails 33 and 34, respectively, for

engagement by the hooked ends of the hedthe distance between the closed ends of the hooked portions 31, thereby allowing longi-. tudinal movement of the heddles in relation .may be hardened to resist wear.

to the frames B, but the distance between the upper edge of the rail 33 and the lower edge of the rail 34 is somewhat greater than the distance between the closed end of one hook 231 and the free end of the opposite hook. thus holding the heddles in the frame. The rails 33 and 31, in conjunction with the adjacent portions of the bars 1 and 2, form channels 35 which extend from end to end of the bars. Inasmuch as these channels extend to the ends of the frame. heddles may be inserted into Or removed from the frame at either end thereof. At such times as the heddles should be prevented from slipping out of the frame, the channels 35 may be closed in any preferred manner. Herein are shown screws 35 engaging the bars 1 and 2 and extending across the ends of the channels 35 at the upper righF-hand corner and the lower corners of the frame. The means for closing the channel 35 at the upper left-hand corner of the frame will be described hereinafter.

heddle must be replaced. The repair heddle shown,in Figs. 20 and 21 has a hook 31 comprising a relatively movable por tion 41 which may be moved into position to clear the rail 33 in the operation of in serting the heddle and then swung down behind said rail. Herein the portion 41 is represented as pivoted to the opposite member of the hook. As shown in Fig. 20. the

upper portion of the heddle has a head 41" having a tapering bearing 41 to receive a correspondingly tapered pivot 41 on the hook-portion 41. The pivot is held in its bearing with a considerable degree of friction by riveting the end of said pivot.

It is desirable to make the heddle frame as light as possible. and to reduce its thickness (i. e., its dimension from front to rear of the loom) to a minimum. In the construction disclosed in Figs. 13. 18 and 19. the frame is illustrated as made of sheet metal of sufficiently heavy gage so that the edges upon which the hooks 31 bear are thick enough to resist the stresses arising in operation and in handling. These edges If it be desirable to use metal of such light gage that the edges of the rails 33 and 34 would not be sufficiently rigid Without reinforce ment, they may be reinforced by means of a roll or head, and this roll may be hard ened or may be covered with a hardened bead.

Upon reference to Fig. 18 it will be ap parent. that. when the heddle frame is raised. gravity and the tension of the warp thread-a hold the upper hooks 31 in contact with the upper edge of the rail 33, and that when the heddle frame is lowered. the threads lift the upper hooks 31 away from the upper edge of the rail 33 to the extent permitted by the lower hooks 31. If there be a broken or execcssively slack thread in the lower sheet of threads when the heddle frame descends. the. heddle corresponding to that thread will not be lifted. Means is provided to detect any such failure of a heddle to rise with relation to its heddle frame. and to actuate mechanism for stopping the loom. comprises an oscillatory rod or shaft 33 mounted within a bearing 39 formed integral with the top bar 1. Preferably the bearing 39 is approximately as long as the shaft 38 so as to encase and support the shaft throughout substantially the length of the latter, whereby the shaft is effectively supported against deflection and protected from dirt and lint. The fact that the feeler shaft is carried by the upper bar of the heddle frame contributes to an important extent in keeping it free from lint and dirt, as such matter accumulates much more rapidly upon the lower portion of the harness than upon the upper part.

A groove or recess formed in the feeler shaft 38 in any suitable manner, so as to provide a shoulder or flange 40. the length of which is at least equal to the width 'of the series of heddles. Means is provided which normally is effective to turn the feeler shaft 38 inthe direction to move the shoulder 40 transversely of the channel after the heddle frame has completed its down-' ward movement. If, however, any heddle fails to rise with relation to the heddle frame during the descent of the latter. the portion 4-1 (Fig. 19) of the hook 31 of said heddle remains in the path of movement of the shoulder 40 and thus prevents the feeler shaft 38 from turning to an effective extent.

The means for pivotally moving the feeler shaft 38 to press the shoulder 40 against the portion 11 of any heddle corresponding to a broken or excessively slack thread may partake of various forms. Herein the shaft 38 is provided at one end with a crank 42 adapted to engage suitable means for giv ing the shaft a feeling movement during the dwell at the end of the descent of the heddle frame and a restoring movement when the heddle frame rises. In wide looms. where the length of the feeler shaft 38 may The detector means herein shown I be so great that the shaft might twist excessively if the functioning heddle were relatively remote from the crank there may be a crank and crank-turning means at each end of the shaft.

Any suitable means may be used to limit the extent of oscillation of the feeler shaft 38, as. for example. that shown in Figs. T. t) and l0. l3 is an integral sheet-mctal element comprising a web It adapted to lie against the end of the bar 1. flanges and 4G to lie at opposite sides of and closely embrace the rai 33. a resilient arm 40 adapted to extend along the bar 1. just below the roll 14 and having a locking pin 47 adapted to enter a hole 47 (Fig. 7) in the bar 1. and two lugs 41) and .30 on the web 4-1 adapted to en a e the crank 12 and thus limit the b b pivotal movement of the teeler shalt. ()n

the upper end of the web it is a stud 51' (Fig. 9) reinovably fitting within the end of the roll 14. An opening 52 in the web 44 provides clearance for the shaft 3h. ()11 said shaft a collar 53 adapted to lie between the web 44 and the end of the bearing 39 and serving to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft. Fpon removing the pin 47 from the hole 48 the elen'ient l1) and the shaft 38 may be withdrawn from the heddle frame. \Vhen desired. the shaft 38 may be readily separated from the element 43 by withdrawing the crank 42 through the opening It will be seen that the web 44 serves to close the adjacent end of the upper channel 35.,

The means to impart the restoring movement to the feeler shaft may be of any preferred construction. I11 Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown a rod 54 attached to a stem 55 which .is vertically adjustable in a bracket 56 fixed to the loom framework. The rod 54 is long enough to lie in the path of movement of the cranks 42 of all the harnesses in the loom. The portions of said rod which are engaged by the cranks are located at the proper heights with reference to the throw of the cranks and the length of movement of the harnesses. Inasmuch as the rear harness has a longer movement than the front harness. that part of the rod 54 which is engaged by the cranks of the rear harness is higher than the portion of said rod which operated the cranks of the front harness.

The means for producing the feeling movement of the feeler shaft may be varied within wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention. I11 Fig. 4 is shown a slide 57 mounted in a vertical guide 58' forming part of a bracket 58 connected to the loom framework. A coiled contractile spring 59 is adjustably attached at one end to the bracket 56' and at its other end to the upper end of the slide 57. To the lower end of the slide is connected a rod 60. The lower port ion of the rod (30 passes freely through an opening in the arm til (Fig. 11) of a bell-crank lever (32. The lever 2 is pivoted at -3 upon an arm (t l. Normally the spring 5!) holds the arm (31 against a stop screw ttl" on the arm (34. The latter is fixed upon a rock shaft (35 mounted in the loom framework. ltigid with the shaft (35 is an arm (3t) carrying a roller (3? that runs upon a cam ('18 lined to a shaftfifl of the loom. as. for example. the shaft on which the sheddin cams are mounted. ()n the lower end ol the rod (it) is a collar Tl). the position of which may be adjusted by a nut T1. T1 is a lock nut. bell crank lever T2 is loosely or pivotally mounted on the shaft (35 and comprises two arms T3 and Tl. (travity normally holds the bell crank lever 72 in the position shown in Fig. ll, its position being determined by contact of a stop screw TI) on the arm TIE with a part of the loom framework. The free end of the arm T2) is adapted to be engaged by a shoulder To on the arm t'al of the bell'crank lever (32. The free end of the arm Tl carries a member 77 which is adjustably secured in place by a screw T7 passing through a slot T7 in said member. The member TT normally is adja cent to the lower arm T9 of the shipper han dle T5,), the latter being pivotally supported at 80. The shipper handle extends through a slotted part 81 having a locking shoulder 82 against which the shipper handle is normally held by a coiled contractile spring 8?). The shipper handle engages one arm S-t of a lever 85 pivoted at Soto the loom framework. The other arm of said lever is connected to a rod 87 which is arranged to 0perate the belt shifter 88. The shipper handie and its connections to the belt shifter are of common construction. and any preferred devices may be substituted therefor.

Referring now to Figs. 2. 3, 8 and 18:89 is a plate adapted to engage the cranks 42 of all the harnesses of the loom, said plate being preferably adjustably mounted on the slide 57. Herein the plate 89 is shown as having an attaching portion 90 which is pivoted to the slide at 91. said portion being secured to the slide in adjusted position by means of a nut 92 turned on a stud 93 which extends through a slot in the portion 90 and is fixed to the slide 57. The different parts of the plate 89 are arranged at the proper relative heights to engage with the cranks 42 of the heddle frames.

In operation. the arm 64 draws the plate 89' dow11,tl1e plate being in its lowest position by the time the harness completes its down stroke. During the dwell following the down stroke of the harness. the arm 64 rises, and the spring 59 raises the plate SS) and turns the cranks 42 of said harness up against the stop 4t9,'if all of said cranks be free to turn. cranks be prevented by a dropped heddle from turning. the plate 89 will be unable to rise; and as the arm 1 rises the bell crank 62 will turn by gravity on its pivot 63, whereby the shoulder 70 is swung under the end of the arur73. In the continuing upward swing of the arm (34 the shoulder 70 engages and lifts the arm 73, thereby foreing the member 77 against the shipper handle, and freeing the latter from the locking shoulder 82, whereupon the spring 83 acts to shift the belt that drives the loom.

It will be noted that the feeling movement of the shaft 38 does not occur until after the down stroke of the harness has been completed, at, which time the maximum tension has been placed upon the threads, thus avoiding stoppages which might be caused by threads which are nbt excessively slack if the feeling movement took place during the down stroke.

It is advantageous to feel for a dropped heddle at the conclusion of the down stroke rather than during or after the up stroke, since in the latter case it is necessary to employ springs or their equivalent to place the heddles in position to coact with the feeler element upon breakage or excessive slackening of threads.

lt is desirable, when starting the loom with a new warp, or when restarting the loom after an automatic stoppage, to be able to render the warp stop motion ineffective for a time, as, for example, while slackness in the threads is being taken up. To disable the stop motion herein shown, it is merely necessary to loosen the set screw 77 (Fig. 11). The arm 74 may then oscillate without operating the shipper handle 79. When the stop motion is to be again made effective, the member 77 is properly located on the arm 74 and secured in place by tightening the screw 77.

Analternative construction of the feelershaft restoring means is illustrated in Figs. 29 to 32. As therein shown, the bracket 58 that provides the guide 58' for the slide 57 also comprises a vertically extending sleeve 94. A post 95 is longitudinally and rotatively adjustable in said sleeve, being held in the desired position by set screws 96. The upper end of the post 95 is bent to form a horizontal arm 97. A bracket 98 has a split hub or sleeve which is clamped 'upon the arm 97 whereby the bracket 98 is adjustable horizontally and, rotatively. The bracket 98 projects rearwardly, and carries a bar 99. The portion of the bar 99 which extends forwardly of the bracket 98 is arranged to be engaged by the cranks 42 The rear end of the bar 99 is pivoted or loosely connected to the rear end of the bracket 98 by means of a stud 100 on the bracket projecting through an opening in If, however, any of said construction.

the bar. At a point between the stud 100 and the forward end of the bracket 98, a bolt 101 engages the bar, said bolt extending freely through an opening in the bracket. A coiled expansive spring 102 surrounds the bolt 101 and bears against the lower side of the bracket and a washer on the bolt, the position of the washer being determined by a nut 103.

In the upward movement of the harness, the cranks 4-2 strike the lower side of the bar 99 and are caused to swing into contact with the stops 50,.the bar 99 yielding against the pressure of the spring 102 as shown by full lines in Fig. 30, so as to obviate excessive strain on the parts and avoid the necessity of extreme accuracy in the positioning of the bar.

If the operator should inadvertently hang the harnesses so that the cranks 42 are above the bar 99, the latter will yield when the loom is started up, the bar 99 fulcruming on the front end of the bracket 98 as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 30, whereby breakage is avoided.

As shown in Figs. 29, 31 and 32, the bracket 58" provides means for supporting the spring 59 that actuates the feeler shafts.

It will be seen that the warp stop motion herein shown is simple and rugged in Co-action between the heddles and the feeler shaft is not dependent upon springs or other parts of variable nature and is not likely to be affected by lint or dirt. The portion 41 of the heddle, which is engaged by the feeler shaft 38 when the heddle functions to stop the loom, is effectively supported by the abutment or rail 33, thus definitely holding the feeler shaft 38 in the position it should occupy at such a time. The rail 33 supports the portions 41 against stresses tending to shear or bend said portions. The shaft 38 may be made sufficiently heavy to resist the torsional stresses arising in looms of ordinary width, while in wide looms the shaft may have a crank at each end, if desired.

The construction of the heddle frame and the feeler shaft is such that they are not apt to be damaged by such handling as harnesses receive when out of the loom. If the crank 42 should be damaged or if the feeler shaft should require cleaning, the shaft may be readily removed from the heddle frame by first disengaging the locking Stud 47 from the opening 48.

The heddles are of such character that they may b conveniently handled by the simplifies the application of the invention to looms having various numbers of heddle frames, since the parts that transmit the stopping impulse to the shipper handle may be easily made capable of coaction with any desired number of heddle frames.

The invention may be readily applied to existing looms. the brackets 56 and 58 (or the bracket 58) being adapted for attachment to the loom framework, and 'the cam 68 and levers operated thereby being arranged to be mounted upon shafts which are present in ordinary looms.

In ordinary looms of the prior art, the heddle frames have been attached to the harness roller by means including screw eyes in th harnesses. These screw eyes do not bear a fixed relation to the harnesses and. moreover. they are subject to relatively rapid wear because of the small area of the supporting surfaces of the eyes. Consequently the distance from the heddle eyes to th supporting surfaces of the screw eyes varies considerably. It is therefore usually necessary to rcgait the loom, that is to say, to adjust the straps whereby the harnesses are attached to the harness roller and the shedding motion. whenever a new warp put into the loom. On certain classes of work it sometimes takes a day or two to effect a satisfactory regaiting of the loom, the product in the meantime being imperfect. \Vith the construction herein shown the necessity for regaiting is obviated. The heddles being made by automatic machinery, there is very little variation in the distance between the eye- 30 and the hooks 31. The heddle frame also may be accurately made and therefore the total variation in the heddles and the frame is very small. The area of contact between the books 13 and 22 and the heddle frames is relatively large and the contacting surfaces may be hardened. thus reducing wear to a minimum. Since the distance between the. heddle eyes and the top roll 14 and the distance from the heddle eyes to the bottom roll Qt are approximately the same in all heddle frames and remain substantially constant. it will be evident that any set of harnesses may be substituted for another without necessitating the regaiting of the loom.

I believe myself to be the first to produce a really practical mechanical warp stop motion of the class wherein the devices that eoact with the heddles are carried by the harnesses, and desire the appended claims to be construed broadly.

I claim as my invention:

1. A heddle frame having a rail and means co-acting therewith to form a longitudinal channel opening upon the end of the. frame,

and a series ofheddles having hooked ends adapted to bear upon the edge of said rail, each of said hooked ends comprising a portion extending into said channel. and feeler means to engage said portions.

2. A heddle frame having a metallic upper element formed of sheet metal bent to provid a top bar, a rail and a shaft bearing extending longitudinally of the heddle frame, said bar and rail forming between them a channel extending longitudinally of the heddle frame above said bearing.

3. A heddle frame having means to support a full complement of heddles, a shaft bearing on said frame extending the entire width of the series of heddles, and a feeler shaft supported in said bearing and adapted to engag said heddles.

4. A heddle frame comprising top. bottom, and end bars, the bottom bar comprising a metallic horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the bottom bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the bottom bar, the top bar comprising a metallic horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, the lower portion of the last mentioned channel communicating with a bearing extending longitiulinally of the top bar. an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing. said shaft having a longitudinal shoulder. a series of heddles having hooked lower ends which arz arranged to bear upon the lower edge of the bottom rail. and hooked upper ends which are arranged to bear on the upper edge of the upper rail and having portions lying within the channel of the top bar, said portions being adapted to lie between said shoulder and said upper rail and thereby interfere with turning movement of said shaft. the distance between the upper edge ofthe upper rail and the lower edge of the lower rail being somewhat less than the distance between the closed ends of the books of a heddle, but somewhat greater than the distance between the closed end of one hook and the free end of the opposite hook of a heddle.

5. A heddle frame comprising top, botand end bars, the bottom bar compris- .ng a metallic horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the bottom bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the bottom bar, the top bar comprising a metallic horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, a series of heddles having hooked lower'ends which are arranged to bear upon the lower edge of the bottom rail, and hooked upper ends which are arranged to bear on the upper edge of the upper rail, the distance between the upper edge of the upper rail and the lower edge of the lower rail being somewhat less than the distance l)G-- tween the closed ends of the hooks of a heddle, but somewhat greater than the distance between the closed end of one hook and the free end of the opposite hook of a heddle.

6. A heddle frame comprising a metallic horizontal upper rail and a metallic horizontal lower rail, a series of heddles having hooked lower ends which are arranged to bear upon the lower edge of the lower rail, and hooked upper ends which are arranged to bear on the upper edge of the upper rail, the distance between the upper edge of the upper rail and the lower edge of the lower rail being somewhat less than the distance between the closed ends of the hooks of a heddle, but somewhat greater than the distance between the closed end of one hook and the free end of the opposite hook of a heddle.

7. A heddle frame comprising top, bottom, and end bars, the top bar being formed of sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending from end to end of the top bar, whereby heddles may be inserted into or removed from the heddle frame at either end of said top bar, removable means for closing the ends of said channel, the lower portion of said channel being enlarged to form a bearing extending longitudinally of the top bar, an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, said shaft being longitudinally grooved to provide a shoulder, a series of heddles the lower ends of which are engaged with the bottom bar and the upper portions of which have hooked ends providing portions lying within said channel and adapted to extend into the groove in said shaft and thus lie between said shoulder and said rail and thereby interfere with turning movement of said shaft.

8. A heddle frame comprising top, bottom, and end bars, the top bar being formed of sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, the lower portion of said channel being enlarged to form a bearing extending longitudinallyof the top bar, an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, said shaft being longitudinally grooved to provide a shoulder, a series of heddles the lower ends of which are engaged with the bottom bar and the upper portions of which have hooked ends providing portions lying'within said channel and adapted to extend into the groove in said shaft and thus lie between said shoulder and said rail and thereby interfere with turning movement of said shaft.

9. A heddle frame comprising top, bottom and end bars, the top bar being of metal and comprising a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, the lower portion of said channel communicating with a bearing extending longitudinally of the top bar, an

oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, said shaft having a longitudinal shoulder, a seriespf heddles the lower ends of which are engaged with the bottom bar and the upper portions of which have booked ends arranged to bear on the upper edge of said rail and having portions-lying within said channel, said portions being adapted to lie between said shoulder and said rail and thereby interfere with turning movement of said shaft.

it). A heddle frame comprising a metallic horizontal upper rail and bottom and end bars, a bearing extending longitudinally of the upper rail, an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, said shaft having a longitudinal shoulder, and a series of hed dles having hooked upper ends which are arranged to bear on the upper edge of the upper rail. the free ends of said hooks being adapted to lie between said shoulder and said upper rail and thereby interfere with turning movement of said shaft.

11. A heddle frame comprising a top bar formed of sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending from end to end of the top bar, whereby heddles may be inserted into orremoved from the heddle frame at either end of said top bar, the lower portion of said channel being enlarged to form a bearing extending longitudinally of the top bar, an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, a crank on one end of said shaft, and removable means for closing the ends of said channel, the means for closing one end of said channel consisting of a sheet metal element comprising a web. adapted to lie against the end of the top bar, flanges to lie at opposite sides of said rail, a resilient arm adapted to extend along the top bar and having a locking pin adapted to enter a hole in said top bar, and two lugs on said web adapted to engage said crank and thus limit the pivotal movement of the feeler shaft.

12. A heddle frame comprising a top bar formed oI sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, the lower portion of said channel being enlarged to form a bearing extending longitudinally of he top bar. an oscillatory feeler shaft'lying a ithin said bearing, a crank on one end of said shaft at one end of said channel, and removable means for closing the other end of said channel. 7

13. A heddle frame l'laving a top bar comprising a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, the lower portion of said channel being enlarged to form a bearing extending longitudinally of the top bar, an oscillatory feeler shaft lying within said bearing, and a crank on one end of said shaft.

14. A heddle frame comprising a top bar formed of sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending longitudinally of the top bar, one end of said channel extending to one end of said top bar, whereby heddles may be inserted into or removed from the heddle frame at said end of said top bar, and removable means for closing said end of said channel.

15. A heddle frame comprising a top bar formed of sheet metal bent to provide a horizontal rail which is spaced from the remainder of the top bar to form a channel extending from end to end of the top bar whereby heddles may be inserted into or remo ed fromlhe heddle frame at either end of said top bar, and removable means for closing the ends of said channel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HOlVARD D. COLMAN. 

